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Parents raise their children hoping that when they release them into the world they do the right thing. They hope they gave their children the courage, wisdom, and intelligence to survive on their own in this world. Many go off to College, right out of high School, and begin life on their own. What many college students forget is proper health care, when they should go and where to go. Most students end up far away from the family doctor they have seen their whole lives and do not know how to re-establish a relationship with a healthcare provider. An Urgent Care may be able to provide supplemental care with any illnesses as well as provide annual check-ups for a healthy lifestyle.

Why Urgent Care is Ideal for Students?

EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE?

College students tend to wait for the last minute to address their medical needs. You may be asking yourself where you should go. If you are having a life threatening medical emergency then you need to go to the emergency room or call 911 right away. If you have a Non-emergency medical situation then urgent care is a great option for you. There are many reasons why you should choose urgent care over the emergency department. An emergency room is designed to treat life threatening medical emergencies. If you go to an emergency department with something that is not life threatening, your wait is going to be a long one. At urgent care the healthcare professionals are designed to address your needs in a timely manner. At an emergency department you may be taking the room of someone who is having a heart attack, was in a fatal car accident, or needs health care right away. Urgent care has plenty of rooms for people just like you. Many students are trying to save money. The average cost for an emergency room visit was $1318 in 2009 and the prices have increased as more and more people use the ER as a doctor and not as an emergency option. The average cost to an Urgent Care is $55-$75. At an emergency room you will not have a follow up with the same doctor and instead will be referred to another physician. At Urgent Care you will mostly followed-up by the same physician and in the same place.

WHAT IS AN URGENT CARE?

Urgent Care is a team of physicians and healthcare professionals who are dedicated toward making sure that all of your healthcare needs are met. Urgent Care has extended hours and some are open 365 days a year. Most have walk in clinics where you do not need an appointment. Urgent Care clinics do not just treat urgent situations, like sprains or even broken bones, they also treat much more.

WHAT CAN YOU GO TO AN URGENT CARE FOR?

You would be surprised at all the different ailments an Urgent Care will be able to treat. Urgent Care treats cuts and abrasions, sprains and strains, cold, flu, sore throat, ear infections and more. Urgent Care also provides the following services:

X-Rays: If you are in a minor car accident, slip and fall, feel like you have sprained something it is so important for you to see a doctor. If you go untreated your symptoms may get worse, you may do permanent damage, and you may make whatever is going on worse. The healthcare professional at Urgent Care can do a simple x-ray and point you in the right direction.

Routine Physicals: Your healthcare professional is essential to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, mentally and physically.

Psych Central states that one out of every four college students suffers from a diagnosable mental illness and suicide is the second leading cause of death in college students who are ages 20-24. Studies show that 4 out of 5 college students drink alcohol, 28.5% of college students smoke. If you use alcohol or tobacco your doctor can tailor a treatment plan for you as well as help you quit.

Blood and Urine Tests: Having blood and urine tests can save your life. These quick and easy tests provide essential information to Doctors about you physiology and may potentially save your life. There are many diseases that go undetermined without these tests. Get checked regularly.

Sports Physicals: Sports physicals are essential as we see more and more healthy, young athletes losing their lives to disorders that are detectable during basic sports physical. Most schools require sports physicals for you to play.

Vaccinations: Protect yourself from communicable diseases like meningitis and the flu. Stay up to date on your vaccinations at Urgent Care so if there is an outbreak of something, you have protected yourself. The flu is becoming more deadly every year, get vaccinated.

Cancer Screenings: If you have a family history of cancer or have any concerns, we can help you. . Stupid Cancer states “72,000 adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer.” This could be you. If cancer is caught in time, you can survive.

Pregnancy Test: About 80% of college students are sexually active. Being sexually active means that Pregnancy is a possibility. An Urgent Care can help you get the specialized care you need. Urgent care can also test for STD’s.

Pre-employment Physical Exams: If you are a college student then you have student loans and most of you require jobs. There are lots of jobs out there that require physical exams and going to an urgent care may be much quicker and economical for you.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help with aches, pains and more.

Other: The sky is the limit, talk to your health care provider at urgent care. If they cannot help you they will point you in the right direction.

Urgent care is a fast and affordable solution to all of your non-emergency medical needs. It is important as a college student to make sure that you stay on top of your health. Getting proper medical care and screening can save your life. Take thirty minutes to visit your local urgent care to find out what you need to do to be at optimal health.

First and foremost, everyone looks different. You are a stunning, gorgeous woman, exactly the way you were made. Love your body and it will love you back.

Here is a diagram of your basic anatomy. Keep in mind, there are many variations to a woman’s appearance.

Shaving

It’s bikini season! The last thing you want are those painful red bumps that you get after shaving. This is a common result of shaving coarse hair found in your groin and armpits. This is most likely due to folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicle. There are some over-the-counter products that may provide relief or prevent these bumps. Here are some handy tips:

wash before and after with antibacterial soap, such as Hibiclens

use a fresh, sharp shaving razor

just trim! no need to shave all the way down to the skin

after, use a product that has “rubbing alcohol” in the ingredients

or try a little over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, do not use more than twice a day

If these simple tricks do not help, you may have developed an infection that can be treated at our urgent care.

Douching and Discharge

Douching is a practice I discourage to all of my patients. Douching can disrupt the pH of your vagina and can leave you susceptible to an infection such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. Over-the-counter tests for these problems are not reliable nor are they accurate. Having a discharge is very normal, for all women. If you are having a change in your normal discharge or odor, there may be something else going on that needs medical attention.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

These types of infections can wreak havoc on our bodies by causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), infertility, cervical cancer and other complications. If you have had multiple partners or have a new partner, don’t hesitate – you should be tested.

Annual Well-Woman Exam

Just like your yearly check-up, you should have a yearly female check-up in addition. This exam generally includes a Pap Smear and a breast exam. A Pap Smear is recommended beginning at the age of 21, if you are sexually active. It is so important to have your annual well-woman check-up every year. You can utilize this visit with your primary care doctor or gynecologist to discuss contraceptives or any questions you have about your sexual health or well-being

I hope I’ve answered some of your questions. Feel welcome to walk-in or make an appointment to address any concerns you might have. You know where to find us at Express Healthcare in College Park and Greenbelt, MD!

It’s the conversation that nobody wants to have. You think that it will never happen to you. You don’t want to talk about it because it is uncomfortable. You may even believe some of they myths out there. The truth is that a conversation about STD diseases could save your life. It only takes one time for you to get an STD disease that will affect the rest of your life.

EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN

As a parent it is your job to teach your children about STD diseases. If you don’t sit down to have a ten minute talk, even if it is uncomfortable, you could be leading your child to their death. Nobody is going to educate your child for you. Planned Parenthood states that “It’s best to start talking with children about sexuality in early childhood – but it’s never to late.” You pave the road for your child by teaching them about what is okay and not okay, protection, STD diseases, pregnancy and more. If you are older and had nobody who has told you about healthy sexual activities then it is important that you educate yourself. Take the attitude of your body being a temple and you want to make sure that you are not harming it by any activity. You would never jump off a bridge and hope for water instead of pavement so don’t have unprotected sex and hope that you won’t be infected with one of the many STD diseases. Never believe someone who says that they have been tested. Always protect yourself and don’t count on someone else to do it for you.

STD DISEASES

STD diseases can take on many different forms and symptoms. There is not just one common STD but many. These diseases do not just affect certain people, they affect anyone who is sexually active. Some can be cured and some can not. Once you are infected with an STD disease you have to live with it for the rest of your life. Some diseases can be cured, some can be managed and some eventually lead to an early death.

* Left untreated STD diseases can lead to infertility, increase your risk of cancer or cause death.

* More then 50% of people will contract HPV at some point during their lives.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Getting tested annually is a huge part of protecting yourself. Nothing is one hundred percent protection besides abstinence. Express Healthcare offices does complete STD testing and can also talk to you about being healthy and sexually active. It is very common for people to go to a healthcare clinic for testing. You are among professional people who care about your well being. You have nothing to be embarressed of when you get tested and instead should be proud that you have taken the initiative to take care of your body. Always use a latex condom when having sex and stay in monogamous relationships.

WHAT DOES STDs CONSIST OF?

* HIV

* HSV

* Syphilis screening

* Chlamydia

* Gonorrhea

It takes less than an hour to educate yourself and get tested. STD diseases affect you for a lifetime. Take the time to protect and educate yourself. Take the time to talk to your healthcare provider about STD diseases and birth control. Take your health and life into your own hands and help educate others. A box of condoms is five dollars and a life is priceless.